System and method in a distributed system for providing user-selection of objects in a television program

ABSTRACT

A system and method in a distributed system (e.g., a distributed television system) for providing user-selection of objects in a television program, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS/INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE

This patent application is related to and claims priority from provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/242,234 filed Sep. 14, 2009, and titled “TELEVISION SYSTEM,” the contents of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. This patent application is also related to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/774,380, filed May 5, 2010, titled “SYSTEM AND METHOD IN A TELEVISION FOR PROVIDING USER-SELECTION OF OBJECTS IN A TELEVISION PROGRAM”, Attorney Docket No. 21037US02; U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed concurrently herewith, titled “SYSTEM AND METHOD IN A TELEVISION RECEIVER FOR PROVIDING USER-SELECTION OF OBJECTS IN A TELEVISION PROGRAM”, Attorney Docket No. 21039US02; U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed concurrently herewith, titled “SYSTEM AND METHOD IN A TELEVISION CONTROLLER FOR PROVIDING USER-SELECTION OF OBJECTS IN A TELEVISION PROGRAM”, Attorney Docket No. 21040US02; U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed concurrently herewith, titled “SYSTEM AND METHOD IN A TELEVISION CONTROLLER FOR PROVIDING USER-SELECTION OF OBJECTS IN A TELEVISION PROGRAM”, Attorney Docket No. 21041US02; U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed concurrently herewith, titled “SYSTEM AND METHOD IN A TELEVISION SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING FOR USER-SELECTION OF AN OBJECT IN A TELEVISION PROGRAM”, Attorney Docket No. 21051US02; U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed concurrently herewith, titled “SYSTEM AND METHOD IN A PARALLEL TELEVISION SYSTEM FOR PROVIDING USER-SELECTION OF OBJECTS IN A TELEVISION PROGRAM”, Attorney Docket No. 21052US02. The contents of each of the above-mentioned applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

[Not Applicable]

SEQUENCE LISTING

[Not Applicable]

MICROFICHE/COPYRIGHT REFERENCE

[Not Applicable]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Present distributed systems (e.g., distributed television systems) are incapable of providing for and/or conveniently providing for user-selection of objects in a television program. Further limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional approaches will become apparent to one of skill in the art, through comparison of such systems with the present invention as set forth in the remainder of the present application with reference to the drawings.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Various aspects of the present invention provide a system and method in a distributed system (e.g., a distributed television system) for providing for user selection of objects in a television program, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the claims. These and other advantages, aspects and novel features of the present invention, as well as details of illustrative aspects thereof, will be more fully understood from the following description and drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary distributed television system, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method for providing user-selection of objects in television programming, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method for providing user-selection of objects in television programming, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary remote television system component, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating exemplary modules and/or sub-modules for a remote television system component, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS ASPECTS OF THE INVENTION

The following discussion will refer to various communication modules, components or circuits. Such modules, components or circuits may generally comprise hardware and/or a combination of hardware and software (e.g., including firmware). Such modules may also, for example, comprise a computer readable medium (e.g., a non-transitory medium) comprising instructions (e.g., software instructions) that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform various functional aspects of the present invention. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of particular hardware and/or software implementations of a module, component or circuit unless explicitly claimed as such. For example and without limitation, various aspects of the present invention may be implemented by one or more processors (e.g., a microprocessor, digital signal processor, baseband processor, microcontroller, etc.) executing software instructions (e.g., stored in volatile and/or non-volatile memory). Also for example, various aspects of the present invention may be implemented by an application-specific integrated circuit (“ASIC”) and/or other hardware components.

Additionally, the following discussion will refer to various television system modules (e.g., television modules). It should be noted that the following discussion of such various modules is segmented into such modules for the sake of illustrative clarity. However, in actual implementation, the boundaries between various modules may be blurred. For example, any or all of the functional modules discussed herein may share various hardware and/or software components. For example, any or all of the functional modules discussed herein may be implemented wholly or in-part by a shared processor executing software instructions. Additionally, various software sub-modules that may be executed by one or more processors may be shared between various software modules. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by arbitrary boundaries between various hardware and/or software components, unless explicitly claimed.

The following discussion may also refer to communication networks and various aspects thereof. For the following discussion, a communication network is generally the communication infrastructure through which a communication device (e.g., a portable communication device, television, television control device, television provider, television programming provider, television receiver, video recording device, etc.) may communicate with other systems. For example and without limitation, a communication network may comprise a cable and/or satellite television communication network, a cellular communication network, a wireless metropolitan area network (WMAN), a wireless local area network (WLAN), a wireless personal area network (WPAN), any home or premises communication network, etc. A particular communication network may, for example, generally have a corresponding communication protocol according to which a communication device may communicate with the communication network. Unless so claimed, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of a particular type of communication network.

The following discussion will at times refer to an on-screen pointing location. Such a pointing location refers to a location on the television screen (e.g., a screen of a user's local television system) to which a user (either directly or with a pointing device) is pointing. Such a pointing location is to be distinguished from other types of on-screen location identification, such as, for example, using arrow keys and/or a mouse to move a cursor or to traverse blocks (e.g., on an on-screen program guide) without pointing. Various aspects of the present invention, while referring to on-screen pointing location, are also readily extensible to such other forms of on-screen location identification.

Additionally, the following discussion will at times refer to television programming. Such television programming generally includes various types of television programming (e.g., television programs, news programs, sports programs, music television, movies, television series programs and/or associated advertisements, educational programs, live or recorded television programming, broadcast/multicast/unicast television programming, etc.). Such television programming may, for example, comprise real-time television broadcast programming (or multicast or unicast television programming) and/or user-stored television programming that is stored in a user device (e.g., a VCR, PVR, etc.). Such television programming video content is to be distinguished from other non-programming video content that may be displayed on a television screen (e.g., an electronic program guide, user interface menu, a television set-up menu, a typical web page, a document, a graphical video game, etc.). Various aspects of the present invention may, for example in a television, comprise receiving television programming, presenting such received television programming to a user, determining an on-screen pointing location pointed to by the user and identifying a user-selected object in the presented television programming.

Also, the following discussion will at times refer to user-selectable objects in television programming. Such user-selectable objects may include both animate (i.e., living) and inanimate (i.e., non-living) objects, both still and moving. Such objects may, for example, comprise characteristics of any of a variety of objects present in television programming. Such objects may, for example and without limitation, comprise inanimate objects, such as consumer good objects (e.g., clothing, automobiles, shoes, jewelry, furniture, food, beverages, appliances, electronics, toys, artwork, cosmetics, recreational vehicles, sports equipment, safety equipment, computer equipment, communication devices, books, etc.), premises objects (e.g., residences, business locations, stores, hotels, signs, doors, buildings, landmarks, historical sites, entertainment venues, hospitals, government buildings, etc.), objects related to services (e.g., objects related to transportation, objects related to emergency services, objects related to general government services, objects related to entertainment services, objects related to food and/or drink services, etc.), objects related to location (e.g., parks, landmarks, streets, signs, road signs, etc.), etc. Such objects may, for example, comprise animate objects, such as people (e.g., actors/actresses, athletes, musicians, salespeople, commentators, reporters, analysts, hosts/hostesses, entertainers, etc.), animals (e.g., pets, zoo animals, wild animals, etc.) and plants (e.g., flowers, trees, shrubs, fruits, vegetables, cacti, etc.).

Turning first to FIG. 1, such figure is a diagram illustrating a non-limiting exemplary television system 100 in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. The exemplary system 100 includes a television provider 110. The television provider 110 may, for example, comprise a television network company, a cable company, a movie-providing company, a news company, an educational institution, etc. The television provider 110 may, for example, be an original source of television programming (or related information). Also for example, the television provider 110 may be a communication company that provides programming distribution services (e.g., a cable television company, a satellite television company, a telecommunication company, a data network provider, etc.). The television provider 110 may, for example, provide television programming and non-programming information and/or video content. The television provider 110 may, for example, provide information related to a television program (e.g., information describing or otherwise related to selectable objects in programming, etc.). As will be discussed in more detail later, the television provider 110 may be remote from a user's local television system (e.g., located at a premises different from the user's local television system). Such a television provider 110 may, for example, operate to perform any or all of the functional aspects described below (e.g., with regard to FIGS. 2-3).

The exemplary television system 100 may also include a third party program information provider 120. Such a provider may, for example, provide information related to a television program. Such information may, for example, comprise information describing selectable objects in programming, program guide information, etc. As will be discussed in more detail later, the third party program information provider 120 may be remote from a user's local television system (e.g., located at a premises different from the user's local television system). Such a third party program information provider 120 may, for example, operate to perform any or all of the functional aspects described below (e.g., with regard to FIGS. 2-3).

The exemplary television system 100 may also include an object selection monitor 122. Such a selection monitor may, for example, operate to identify a television programming object selected by a user and/or perform additional functionality related to such a selection. As will be discussed in more detail later, the object selection monitor 122 may be remote from a user's local television system (e.g., located at a premises different from the user's local television system). For example, the object selection monitor 122 may be independent of a television programming provider or may be integrated with such a television programming provider. Also for example, the object selection monitor 122 may be independent of the third party program information provider or may be integrated with such a third party program information provider. Such an object selection monitor 122 may, for example, operate to perform any or all of the functional aspects described below (e.g., with regard to FIGS. 2-3).

The exemplary television system 100 may include one or more communication networks (e.g., the communication network(s) 130). The exemplary communication network 130 may comprise characteristics of any of a variety of types of communication networks over which television programming and/or information related to television programming may be communicated. For example and without limitation, the communication network 130 may comprise characteristics of any one or more of: a cable television network, a satellite television network, a telecommunication network, the Internet, a local area network (LAN), a personal area network (PAN), a metropolitan area network (MAN), any of a variety of different types of home networks, etc.

The exemplary television system 100 may include a first television 140. Such a first television 140 may, for example, comprise networking capability enabling such television 140 to communicate directly with the communication network 130. For example, the first television 140 may comprise one or more embedded television receivers or transceivers (e.g., a cable television receiver, satellite television transceiver, Internet modem, etc.). Also for example, the first television 140 may comprise one or more recording devices (e.g., for recording and/or playing back video content, television programming, etc.). The first television 140 may, for example, operate to (which includes “operate when enabled to”) perform any or all of the functionality discussed herein.

The exemplary television system 100 may include a first television controller 160. Such a first television controller 160 may, for example, operate to (e.g., which may include “operate when enabled to”) control operation of the first television 140. The first television controller 160 may comprise characteristics of any of a variety of television controlling devices. For example and without limitation, the first television controller 160 may comprise characteristics of a dedicated television control device, a universal remote control, a cellular telephone or personal computing device with television control capability, etc.

The first television controller 160 (or television control device) may, for example, transmit signals directly to the first television 140 to control operation of the first television 140. The first television controller 160 may also, for example, operate to transmit signals (e.g., via the communication network 130) to the television provider 110 to control television programming (or related information) being provided to the first television 140, or to conduct other transactions (e.g., business transactions, etc.). Similarly, the first television controller 160 may operate to communicate information with (e.g., transmit information to and/or receive information from) the television provider 110, third party program information provider 120 and/or the object selection monitor 122. Such communicated information may, for example, comprise information related to user on-screen pointing and/or object selection.

Also, as will be discussed in more detail later, various aspects of the present invention include a user pointing to a location on a television screen (e.g., pointing to an animate or inanimate object presented in television programming). In such a scenario, the user may perform such pointing in any of a variety of manners. One of such exemplary manners includes pointing with a television control device. The first television controller 160 provides a non-limiting example of a device that a user may utilize to point to an on-screen location.

The exemplary television system 100 may also include a television receiver 151. The television receiver 151 may, for example, operate to (e.g., which may include “operate when enabled to”) provide a communication link between a television and/or television controller and a communication network, information provider and/or object selection monitor. For example, the television receiver 151 may operate to provide a communication link between the second television 141 and the communication network 130, or between the second television 141 and the television provider 110 (and/or the third party program information provider 120 and/or the object selection monitor 122, etc.) via the communication network 130. Similarly, the television receiver 151 may operate to communicate information with (e.g., transmit information to and/or receive information from) the television provider 110, third party program information provider 120 and/or the object selection monitor 122. Such communicated information may, for example, comprise information related to user on-screen pointing and/or object selection.

The television receiver 151 may comprise characteristics of any of a variety of types of television receivers. For example and without limitation, the television receiver 151 may comprise characteristics of a cable television receiver, a satellite television receiver, etc. Also for example, the television receiver 151 may comprise a data communication network modem for data network communications (e.g., with the Internet, a LAN, PAN, MAN, telecommunication network, etc.). The television receiver 151 may also, for example, comprise recording capability (e.g., programming recording and playback, etc.).

The exemplary television system 100 may include a second television controller 161. Such a second television controller 161 may, for example, operate to (e.g., which may include “operate when enabled to”) control operation of the second television 141 and the television receiver 151. The second television controller 161 may comprise characteristics of any of a variety of television controlling devices. For example and without limitation, the second television controller 161 may comprise characteristics of a dedicated television control device, a dedicated television receiver control device, a universal remote control, a cellular telephone or personal computing device with television control capability, etc.

The second television controller 161 may, for example, operate to transmit signals directly to the second television 141 to control operation of the second television 141. The second television controller 161 may, for example, operate to transmit signals directly to the television receiver 151 to control operation of the television receiver 151. The second television controller 161 may additionally, for example, operate to transmit signals (e.g., via the television receiver 151 and the communication network 130) to the television provider 110 to control television programming (or related information) being provided to the television receiver 151, or to conduct other transactions (e.g., business transactions, etc.). Similarly, the second television controller 161 may operate to communicate information with (e.g., transmit information to and/or receive information from) the television provider 110, third party program information provider 120 and/or the object selection monitor 122. Such communicated information may, for example, comprise information related to user on-screen pointing and/or object selection.

As will be discussed in more detail later, various aspects of the present invention include a user pointing to a location on a television screen (e.g., pointing to an animate or inanimate object presented in television programming). In such a scenario, the user may perform such pointing in any of a variety of manners. One of such exemplary manners includes pointing with a television control device. The second television controller 161 provides one non-limiting example of a device that a user may utilize to point to an on-screen location.

The following discussion may, at times, refer to a user's local television system and/or one or more components remote from the user's local television system. The user's local television system may generally be considered to be the user's home (or portable) television system. For example, a user's local television system may comprise the user's television, the user's television receiver, the user's PVR and/or the user's television controller located at the user's premises (e.g., home, office, etc.). For example, the first television 140 and first television controller 160 may be considered a user's local television system. Also for example, the second television 141, television receiver 151 and second television controller 161 may be considered a user's local television system. Additionally, for example the television provider 110, third party program information provider 120 and object selection monitor 122 may be considered to be one or more components remote from the user's local television system. For example, such components may be located remotely from a premise at which the user's local television system resides. In other words, the one or more components remote from the user's local television system are not co-located with the user's local television system.

The exemplary television system 100 was provided to provide a non-limiting illustrative foundation for discussion of various aspects of the present invention. Thus, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by any characteristics of the exemplary television system 100 unless explicitly claimed.

FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method 200 for providing user-selection of objects in television programming, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. Any or all aspects of the exemplary method 200 may, for example, be implemented in one or more components remote from a user's local television system (e.g., the television provider 110, third party program information provider 120 and/or object selection monitor 122 shown in FIG. 1 and discussed previously). Also, various aspects may be performed by one or more components of the user's local television system (e.g., in conjunction with one or more components remote from the user's local television system).

The exemplary method 200 may, for example, begin executing at step 205. The exemplary method 200 may begin executing in response to any of a variety of causes and/or conditions. For example, the exemplary method 200 may begin executing in response to a user command to begin, in response to user selection of a television program that includes user selectable objects, upon television reset and/or power-up, in response to a user input indicating a desire to provide object selection capability to the user, in response to identification of a user and/or user equipment for which object selection capability is to be provided, in response to user payment of a fee, etc. Also for example, the exemplary method 200 (or various portions thereof) may generally always execute. For example, a television program provider may always communicate television programming information to a user's local television system, even when the user's local television system is not presently operating to receive and/or present such television programming to the user.

The exemplary method 200 may, for example at step 207, comprise communicating television programming to the user's local television system and/or user's local television. For example, a programming provider (e.g., the television provider 110) may communicate broadcast, multicast and/or unicast television programming to the user's location television system and/or any component thereof. Note that such communication may, for example, comprise communicating to one or more components remote from the user's local television system (e.g., for processing, for storage, for ultimate communication to the user's local television system, etc.). Also for example, a user's local television system may comprise a local television programming storage device that may provide locally stored television programming to a television of the user's local television system.

The exemplary method 200 may, for example at step 210, comprise receiving television programming (e.g., at the user's local television system and/or at the user's local television; at one or more components remote from the user's local television system, such as an object selection monitor, an intermediate communication network node between a programming provider and the user's local television system; a third party programming information provider; an advertiser; etc.). Many non-limiting examples of such television programming were provided above. Step 210 may comprise receiving the television programming from any of a variety of sources. For example and without limitation, step 210 may comprise receiving the television programming from a television programming provider (e.g., a television broadcasting company, a movie streaming company, an Internet television programming provider, etc.), from a user (or consumer) video recording device (e.g., internal and/or external to the user's local television), etc.

Step 210 may also comprise receiving the television programming via any of a variety of types of communication networks. Such networks may, for example, comprise a wireless television network (e.g., terrestrial and/or satellite) and/or a wired or tethered optical communication network (e.g., a cable television network, a land line telecommunication network, etc.). Such networks may, for example, comprise any of variety of data communication networks (e.g., the Internet, a local area network, a personal area network, a metropolitan area network, etc.).

In general, step 210 may comprise receiving television programming. The scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of any particular television programming, television programming source, television programming network and/or manner of receiving television programming unless explicitly claimed.

The exemplary method 200 may, at step 220, comprise presenting television programming to a user. Step 220 may, for example, comprise presenting the television programming received at step 210 to a user in any of a variety of manners. For example, step 220 may comprise presenting the television programming on a screen of a television of the user's local television system. Also for example, step 220 may comprise communicating the television programming to another video presentation device of the user's local television system external to the television (e.g., to a receiver with an on-board screen, to a television remote control with an on-board screen, etc.).

The presented television programming may, for example, comprise user-selectable objects in the television programming. Many non-limiting examples of such user-selectable objects were presented above. In general, such user-selectable objects may, for example, comprise animate and/or inanimate objects in television programming that a user may select (e.g., using a pointing device or other user interface by which a user may specify a screen and/or frame location).

The exemplary method 200 may, at step 230, comprise determining an on-screen pointing location pointed to by a user of a television of the user's local television system. Step 230 may comprise determining an on-screen pointing location in any of a variety of manners, non-limiting examples of which will now be provided. Various non-limiting examples of on-screen pointing location determining are provided in U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/242,234, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. An on-screen pointing location may, for example, be expressed in a screen-centric coordinate system (e.g., x-y pixel coordinates), a screen independent coordinate system or normalized coordinate system (e.g., based on location within a moving image, where such location is generic to all television screens), a world coordinate and/or universal coordinate system, a coordinate system based on video frame coordinates independent of screen size and/or pixel density, etc.

Step 230 may, for example, comprise one or more components remote from the user's local television system analyzing sensor information (e.g., associated with sensors on-board and/or off-board the user's television, associated with sensors on-board and/or off-board non-television components of the user's local television system, etc.) to determine user on-screen pointing location. In an exemplary scenario, sensor information corresponding to user pointing sensors of the user's local television system (e.g., sensors located at the user's premises) may be communicated from one or more components of the user's local television system to one or more components remote from the user's local television system.

Step 230 may also, for example, comprise one or more components remote from the user's local television system the television receiving information describing the on-screen pointing location from one or more components of the user's local television system (e.g., a television, receiver, television controller, a pointing device, etc.). For example, one or more components of the user's local television system may process sensor information to determine the on-screen pointing location and then communicate information of such determination to one or more components remote from the user's local television system (e.g., for further processing by such one or more remote components).

Step 230 may, for example, comprise identifying a timestamp temporally identifying the instance of a determined on-screen pointing location. Such timestamp may, for example, be obtained by a clock, timestamp embedded in a video stream, timestamp embedded in a stream including object information, timestamp associated with a signal transmitted from a user pointing device, etc. Determination of such a timestamp may, for example, be based on user command (e.g., a user indicating that a selection has occurred) or determined automatically without a direct indication from the user that a selection has occurred (e.g., the system determining that the user has pointed to an object for at least a particular amount of time), etc. Such timestamp may be utilized, for example, for determining selection of a moving, changing and/or temporally transient object in the presented television programming. In an exemplary scenario in which pointing sensor and/or on-screen pointing location information is communicated between system components, such pointing location information may be communicated with the timing information.

In general, step 230 may comprise determining an on-screen pointing location pointed to by a user of the television. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of any particular type of on-screen pointing location or any particular manner of determining such an on-screen pointing location unless explicitly claimed.

The exemplary method 200 may, at step 240, comprise identifying a user-selectable object in the presented television programming at which the user is pointing based, at least in part, on the determined on-screen pointing location (e.g., as determined at step 230). Step 240 may comprise performing such identifying in any of a variety of manners, non-limiting examples of which will now be presented. Step 240 may, for example, be performed by one or more system components remote from a user's local television system. Note, however, that one or more components from the user's local television system may at least assist the one or more remote components in implementing step 240.

For example, step 240 may comprise determining the on-screen location and/or dimensions of one or more user-selectable objects (e.g., or associated selection region) in the presented television programming, and identifying a user-selected object by analyzing the respective on-screen (or in-frame) locations of the one or more user-selectable objects and the determined on-screen pointing location (e.g., at a particular time instance and/or particular timeframe) to determine the television programming object selected by the user. For example, such on-screen location may, for example, comprise the on-screen location of one or more points, areas and/or volumes associated with respective locations of user-selectable objects.

In such an exemplary scenario or any scenario involving determining on-screen location of one or more objects in the presented television programming, step 240 may, for example, comprise determining such on-screen (or in-frame) object location in any of a variety of manners. For example, step 240 may comprise receiving information identifying and/or describing the user-selectable objects in the television program.

For example, step 240 may comprise receiving information identifying and/or describing such user-selectable objects from the same source as the received television programming. Note that if step 240 is performed by a television programming source, such information may already be known by such television programming source. For example, step 240 may comprise receiving such information embedded in a same data stream as a stream communicating the presented television programming (e.g., embedded in the received television program data). For example, a television stream protocol may comprise specialized elements (and/or the utilization of unassigned elements) that include information about selectable objects (e.g., object identity, shape, location, size, coloration, movement characteristics, timing, appearance time window, etc.).

Also for example, step 240 may comprise receiving the information identifying and/or describing such user-selectable objects in a data stream communicated in parallel with a stream communicating the presented television programming. In such a scenario, the television program stream and object information stream may be received from a same source over a same television programming communication channel. Additionally for example, step 240 may comprise receiving such information from a same source but over a communication channel different from the channel over which the television programming is received and/or over a type of communication channel different from a television programming communication channel.

Further for example, step 240 may comprise receiving the information identifying and/or describing such user-selectable objects from a source (e.g., a third party information provider, a television network source, etc.) different from the source from which the television programming is received. In such an exemplary scenario, step 240 may comprise receiving such information via different respective communication networks or via one or more same communication networks. Also for example, step 240 may comprise receiving such information over a different communication medium than that over which the television programming is received.

Step 240 may, for example, comprise receiving the information identifying and/or describing such user-selectable objects in a data stream, where such information is always transmitted in the data stream (e.g., whether or not requested by a user and/or other system). Alternatively for example, step 240 may comprise receiving such information, where such information is communicated (e.g., to the television) only when requested (e.g., only when requested by the television, by a television controller, by a television receiver, by a user electronic device, by the user, etc.).

Step 240 may, for example, comprise receiving the information identifying and/or describing such user-selectable objects in real-time (i.e., as the television programming is received at the user's local television system or a remote component or as the television programming is transmitted from a television programming source). Also for example, step 240 may comprise receiving such information from a source of stored (e.g., user stored and/or provider stored) television programming. For example, such information may be stored with stored television programming in a programming provider's storage device and/or a user's television programming storage device (e.g., in a same data file, in separate but related files, etc.). In such an exemplary implementation, such information may be received from the programming storage device in time synchronization with television programming. Note that in various exemplary scenarios, the user's local television programming storage device may communicate such information to the one or more components remote from the user's local television system.

As mentioned above, the information identifying and/or describing user selectable objects in television programming may comprise timing information associated with such selectable objects. For example, movement of a selectable object may be expressed as a function of time. Also for example, appearance of a selectable object in television programming may be associated with a time window during which such object appears. As will be discussed in more detail below, timing associated with a user on-screen or in-frame pointing (or object selection) event may be synchronized to the timing of selectable object location in a presented program to determine whether a user pointed to (or selected) a particular object at a particular location at a particular time.

The information identifying and/or describing user selectable objects in television programming may comprise information defining respective regions of the presented television programming that are associated with respective user-selectable objects in the presented television programming. For example, such information may comprise information describing respective geometric shapes (e.g., 2-D and/or 3-D geometric constructs) associated with respective user-selectable objects. For example, a circle, oval, square, rectangle, pentagon or any polygon (or any combination thereof) may be associated with a user-selectable object. User-selection of one of such geometric shapes (e.g., a determined on-screen pointing location within the boundaries of such geometric shape(s) at the relevant point in time) may indicate user selection of the respective object.

As discussed above, the object description (whether geometric or not) may comprise information (e.g., temporal information) describing movement, appearance, size changing, shape changing, etc. associated with the user-selectable object. For example, in an exemplary scenario where a plurality of geometric shapes are utilized to describe a user-selectable object (and/or a user-selectable area associated with such object), the description of the user-selectable object may comprise information describing the manner in which each of the respective objects move in the programming (e.g., as a function of time, as a function of video frame number, etc.) and/or information describing the manner in which dimensions of each of the respective objects change.

Once on-screen pointing location and object location (e.g., at a particular point in time) are known, such information may be processed to determine a user-selectable object to which a user has pointed. As mentioned above, such processing may comprise determining a respective region of the television screen and/or a television programming frame associated with a respective user-selectable object, where the respective region correlates to an on-screen pointing location pointed to by the user (e.g., at a particular point in time or during a particular timeframe).

During performing such processing, step 240 may comprise low-pass filtering the determined on-screen pointing location (e.g., as determined at step 230) to compensate for unintended movement of pointing location (e.g., due to unsteady or unstable user pointing), thus increasing reliability of object selection determination. For example, successful user-selection of a television programming object may require a user to point to an on-screen object for a particular amount of time (or for a particular number of frames).

Note that such low-pass filtering may also be performed at step 230. Such filtering may, for example, comprise filtering over a particular period of time, over a particular number of on-screen pointing direction determinations, over a particular number of television programming frames, etc. Such filtering may comprise averaging a plurality of on-screen pointing direction determinations, utilizing a weighted averaging scheme, utilizing a finite impulse response filtering scheme, etc.

Step 240 may also, for example, comprise identifying a user-selected object by identifying a most likely object selected by the user. For example, step 240 may comprise identifying a closest user-selectable object to the on-screen pointing location determined at step 230. Also for example, step 240 may comprise determining a most likely user-selected object based, at least in part, on respective popularity of user selectable objects (e.g., favoring the most often selected inanimate and/or animate objects). Additionally for example, step 240 may comprise identifying a most likely user-selected object based, at least in part, on monetary considerations (e.g., placing a higher likelihood on user-selectable objects associated with relatively higher paying advertisers, placing a higher likelihood on user-selectable objects associated with a per-selection based advertising fee, etc.). Further for example, step 240 may comprise identifying a most likely user-selected programming object based on history of selection from a particular user (e.g., favoring types of objects most often selected by a particular user or at a particular local television system). Also for example, step 240 may comprise identifying a most likely user-selected programming object based on object newness (e.g., a new object is likely to garner more interest than an object that has been shown for a relatively long period of time). Additionally, for example, step 240 may comprise identifying a most likely user-selected television programming object based on object size.

A selected object may be identified with a unique identifier (e.g., unique to the object, unique to a group of related objects, etc.). Step 240 may thus comprise determining the identifier associated with the determined user-selected object. Such identifier may then be utilized in the performance of any of a variety of further functions, non-limiting examples of which will be presented below. For example, the information identifying and/or describing a user-selectable object may comprise information describing functions associated with such object (e.g., information presentation functionality, communication functionality, business transaction functionality, user interaction functionality, etc.).

The steps of the exemplary method 200 (or aspects thereof) may, for example, be performed (e.g., by one or more components remote from the user's local television system) in real-time. In such manner, the user may have relatively expeditious access to functionality associated with the user-selected object. Alternatively for example, the exemplary method 200 (or aspects thereof) may be performed off-line in a manner in which functionality associated with the user-selected object is provided to the user at a significantly later time (e.g., after presentation of the television program, upon the user pausing presentation of the television program, during a commercial break in the television program, upon the user logging into the user's computer system, upon the user accessing email, etc.).

As mentioned above, any or all of the steps of the exemplary method 200 may be performed for user selection of an object in television programming as the programming is broadcast in real-time and/or may be performed for user selection of an object in television programming that has been recorded on a programming provider's storage device or a user's local storage device (e.g., a personal video recorder (PVR), video cassette recorder (VCR), etc.) and is currently being presented to the user (e.g., at step 220) in a time-shifted manner. For example, a provider or user may record a broadcast television program on a storage device (e.g., a networked PVR or user PVR) for later viewing, present such recorded programming at a later time, and while presenting such time-shifted television programming at a later time, provide for user selection of objects in such programming.

Similarly, any or all of the steps of the exemplary method 200 may be performed for user selection of an object in television programming that has been provided to the user (or stored by the user) on a physical storage medium (e.g., on a digital versatile disc (DVD), video cassette recorder tape, non-volatile memory device, etc.). For example, a user may purchase a set of DVDs including all episodes of a season of a television series, view each of such episodes at the convenience of the user, and while viewing such episodes, select user-selectable objects in such programming. In such a scenario, where the physical storage medium is being played by the user's local television system, the information regarding on-screen pointing location and/or selectable object description information may be communicated from the user's local television system to the one or more components remote from the user's local television system. In an exemplary scenario where the physical storage medium is being played by a component remote from the user's local television system, such component may process the object description information and/or may communicate such information to another of the remote system components for processing.

In an exemplary scenario, where on-screen pointing location at a particular point in time is utilized to determine object selection, any of a variety of time references may be utilized. For example, synchronization of on-screen pointing location and user-selectable object location (e.g., on-screen and/or in-frame object location) may be based on a presentation timestamp (PTS) and/or a decoding timestamp (DTS), or the like, which may be encoded in a broadcast and/or recorded program or determined as such program is being presented to a user (or transmitted to the user's local television system). In such a scenario, so long as the object location and pointing determination are based on a common and/or synchronized time reference, the identification of a pointed-to object may be performed accurately.

As mentioned previously, object information identifying and/or describing user-selectable objects may be received encoded in a video program stream or may be received in a separate stream (and/or channel). In a scenario where television programming information is stored (either short term or long term), the object information may also be stored (e.g., with the stored programming information in a same data file, in a separate but related data file, etc.). In such a manner, when the user determines to view a time-shifted program, the object information is accessible to the user's local television system or to one or more components remote from the user's local television system. Such is the case whether the television programming and object information is stored at the user's local television system or at a component remote from the user's local television system.

Alternatively, such information identifying and/or describing user-selectable objects in programming may be requested from a third party when such information is needed. As a non-limiting example, a first component remote from the user's local television system may request information describing user-selectable objects from a second component remote from the user's local television system (or from the user's local television system).

In yet another scenario, for example, where video information may be decoded separately from the user's television (e.g., in a set top box (STB), cable and/or satellite television receiver, PVR, etc.) and provided to the television for presentation, such object information may also be received by such separate device and provided to other devices of the user's local television system (e.g., in an information channel separate from a video driver signal) and/or may be communicated to the one or more components remote from the user's local television system.

Note that although a portion of the previous discussion concerned analyzing on-screen pointing location and on-screen object location to identify a user-selected object, such analysis may also be similarly performed by analyzing on-frame pointing location and on-frame object location. In other words, such analysis may comprise performing any of a variety of coordinate transformations to perform such analysis in any of a variety of different respective coordinate domains (e.g., a coordinate domain that is generic to all screens).

In general, step 240 may comprise identifying a user-selectable object in the presented television programming at which the user is pointing (e.g., based, at least in part, on the determined on-screen pointing location (e.g., as determined at step 230)). Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not arbitrarily be limited by any particular manner of performing such identifying unless explicitly claimed.

The exemplary method 200 may, for example at step 295, comprise performing continued operations. Step 295 may comprise performing any of a variety of continued operations, non-limiting examples of such continued operation(s) will be presented below. For example, step 295 may comprise returning execution flow to any of the previously discussed method steps. For example, step 295 may comprise returning execution flow of the exemplary method 200 to step 230 for determining additional on-screen pointing locations and corresponding user-selected objects in the television programming.

Also for example, step 295 may comprise generating a user output indicating the identified user-selectable object (e.g., as identified at step 240). Additionally for example, step 295 may comprise one or more components remote from the user's local television system generating a signal and communicating the signal to the user's local television system, where the signal comprises characteristics that, when processed by the user's local television system, cause the user's local television system to generate a user output indicating the identified user-selectable object.

For example, step 295 may comprise overlaying a graphical feature coinciding with the identified user-selectable object on the presented television programming (or generating and/or communicating a signal causing such overlaying). For example, as discussed above, a user-selectable object (and/or the user-selectable portion of a user-selectable object) may be defined by one or more geometric shapes. In such an exemplary scenario, step 295 may comprise highlighting such geometric shapes (or the borders thereof) when step 240 determines that the user has selected a user-selectable object associated with such geometric shapes (or generating and/or communicating a signal causing such highlighting). Also for example, step 295 may comprise presenting an outline of the identified object on the television screen, temporarily brighten or alter the color of the identified object, temporarily display a message on the screen as an indication of the identified object, etc. (or generating and/or communicating a signal causing such effects). Step 295 may also, for example, comprise outputting an audio indication that a user-selected object has been identified (or generating and/or communicating a signal to the user's local television system causing a component of the user's local television system to output such an audio indication).

Additionally for example, step 295 may comprise communicating information indicating the identified user-selectable object to a component of the user's local television system or other device external to the television (e.g., a user device at the same premises as the television and/or a device communicatively coupled to the television via a communication network). For example, step 295 may comprise communicating such information to a television remote control device of the user's local television system (e.g., in a scenario where the television remote control device may provide the user an indication of the identified user-selectable object). In such an exemplary scenario, the television remote control device may comprise a video screen on which the television program may be displayed, and the identified user-selectable object may then be graphically indicated on such video screen (e.g., instead of being identified on a screen of the television and/or in addition to being identified on the screen of the television).

Further for example, step 295 may comprise processing information of an identified user-selected object (e.g., as determined at step 240) to determine an action to perform with regard to such selected object. Various non-limiting examples of such actions are provided in U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/242,234, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

In general, step 295 may comprise performing continued operations (e.g., performing additional operations corresponding to a user-selected television programming object, repeating various method steps for additional user-selected objects, etc.). Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by characteristics of any particular type of continued processing unless explicitly claimed.

Turning next to FIG. 3, such figure is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method 300 for providing user-selection of objects in television programming, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. The exemplary method 300 may, for example, share any or all characteristics with the exemplary method 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 and discussed previously. Any or all aspects of the exemplary method 300 may, for example, be implemented in one or more components remote from a user's local television system (e.g., the television provider 110, third party program information provider 120 and/or object selection monitor 122 shown in FIG. 1 and discussed previously).

The exemplary method 300 may, for example, begin executing at step 305. The exemplary method 300 may begin executing in response to any of a variety of causes or conditions. Step 305 may, for example, share any or all characteristics with step 205 of the exemplary method 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 and discussed previously.

The exemplary method 300 may, for example at step 307, comprise communicating television programming to the user's local television system and/or user's local television. Step 307 may, for example, share any or all characteristics with step 207 of the exemplary method 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 and discussed previously.

For example, step 307 may, for example at sub-step 308, comprise (e.g., a programming provider) communicating broadcast, multicast and/or unicast television programming to the user's local television system and/or any component thereof. Also for example, step 307 may comprise, for example at sub-step 309, communicating broadcast, multicast and/or unicast television programming to one or more components remote from the user's local television system. Such communication may, for example, comprise communicating to one or more components remote from the user's local television system for any of a variety of reasons (e.g., for processing, for storage, for ultimate communication to the user's local television system, etc.). Also for example, a user's local television system may comprise a local television programming storage device that may provide locally stored television programming to a television of the user's local television system.

The exemplary method 300 may, for example at step 310, comprise receiving television programming. Step 310 may, for example, share any or all characteristics with step 210 of the exemplary method 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 and discussed previously.

For example, step 310 may comprise, for example at sub-step 312, receiving a television program broadcast as such program is broadcast in real-time. Alternatively for example, step 310 may comprise, for example at sub-step 314, receiving a previously broadcast program from a storage device (e.g., a user television programming storage device) in a time-shifted manner.

The exemplary method 300 may, for example at step 320, comprise presenting television programming (e.g., as received at step 310) to a user. Step 320 may, for example, share any or all characteristics with step 220 of the exemplary method 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 and discussed previously.

For example, step 320 may comprise, for example at sub-step 322, presenting the received television programming on a screen of a television (e.g., of the user's local television system). Alternatively for example, step 320 may comprise, for example at sub-step 324, communicating received television programming to another device of the user's local television system (e.g., a device other than the user's television) for presentation to the user (e.g., to a display device different from the television, to a television remote control device with a display, to a user's handheld computer, etc.).

The exemplary method 300 may, for example at step 330, comprise determining on-screen pointing location pointed to by a user of the television. Step 330 may, for example, share any or all characteristics with step 230 of the exemplary method 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 and discussed previously.

For example, step 330 may comprise, for example at sub-step 332, analyzing sensor information (e.g., associated with sensors on-board and/or off-board the user's television) to determine user on-screen pointing location. Alternatively for example, step 330 may comprise, for example at sub-step 334, receiving information describing the on-screen pointing location from another device (e.g., one or more components remote from the user's local television system receiving such information from one or more components of the user's local television system).

The exemplary method 300 may, for example at step 340, comprise identifying a user-selectable object in the presented television programming at which the user is pointing based, at least in part, on the determined on-screen pointing location (e.g., as determined at step 330). Step 340 may, for example, share any or all characteristics with step 240 of the exemplary method 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 and discussed previously.

For example, step 340 may comprise, for example at sub-step 342, determining the on-screen location of one or more user-selectable objects in the presented television programming. Alternatively for example, step 330 may comprise, for example at sub-step 344, identifying a user-selected object by analyzing the respective on-screen locations of the one or more user-selectable objects and the determined on-screen pointing location (e.g., at a particular time instance and/or particular timeframe) to determine the object selected by the user.

The exemplary method 300 may, for example at step 395, comprise performing continued operations. Step 395 may, for example, share any or all characteristics with step 295 of the exemplary method 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 and discussed previously.

Turning next to FIG. 4, such figure is a diagram illustrating an exemplary remote system component (e.g., remote from a user's local television system), in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. The exemplary system component 400 may, for example, share any or all characteristics with the exemplary system components 110, 120 and 122 illustrated in FIG. 1 and discussed previously. Also, the exemplary system component 400 (e.g., various modules thereof) may operate to perform any or all of the functionality discussed previously with regard to the exemplary methods 200 and 300 illustrated in FIGS. 2-3 and discussed previously.

The exemplary system component 400 includes a first communication interface module 410. The first communication interface module 410 may, for example, operate to communicate over any of a variety of communication media and utilizing any of a variety of communication protocols. For example, though the first communication interface module 410 is illustrated coupled to a wireless RF antenna via a wireless port 412, the wireless medium is merely illustrative and non-limiting. The first communication interface module 410 may, for example, operate to communicate with one or more communication networks (e.g., cable television networks, satellite television networks, telecommunication networks, the Internet, local area networks, personal area networks, metropolitan area networks, etc.) via which television video content (e.g., television programming) and/or other data is communicated. The first communication interface module 410 may, for example, operate to communicate with one or more components of a user's local television system (e.g., television(s), receiver(s), PVR(s), television controller(s), etc.). The first communication interface module 410 may also, for example, operate to communicate with one or more other components remote from the user's local television system (e.g., a television programming provider, a third party program information provider, an object selection monitor, an advertising server, etc.).

The exemplary system component 400 includes a second communication interface module 420. The second communication interface module 420 may, for example, operate to communicate over any of a variety of communication media and utilizing any of a variety of communication protocols. For example, the second communication interface module 420 may communicate via a wireless RF communication port 422 and antenna, or may communicate via a non-tethered optical communication port 424 (e.g., utilizing laser diodes, photodiodes, etc.). Also for example, the second communication interface module 420 may communicate via a tethered optical communication port 426 (e.g., utilizing a fiber optic cable), or may communicate via a wired communication port 428 (e.g., utilizing coaxial cable, twisted pair, HDMI cable, Ethernet cable, any of a variety of wired component and/or composite video connections, etc.). The second communication interface module 420 may, for example, operate to communicate with one or more communication networks (e.g., cable television networks, satellite television networks, telecommunication networks, the Internet, local area networks, personal area networks, metropolitan area networks, etc.) via which television video content (e.g., television programming) and/or other data is communicated. The first communication interface module 410 may, for example, operate to communicate with one or more components of a user's local television system (e.g., television(s), receiver(s), PVR(s), television controller(s), etc.). The first communication interface module 410 may also, for example, operate to communicate with one or more other components remote from the user's local television system (e.g., a television programming provider, a third party program information provider, an object selection monitor, an advertising server, etc.).

The exemplary system component 400 may also comprise additional communication interface modules, which are not illustrated. Such additional communication interface modules may, for example, share any or all aspects with the first 410 and second 420 communication interface modules discussed above.

The exemplary system component 400 may also comprise a communication module 430. The communication module 430 may, for example, operate to control and/or coordinate operation of the first communication interface module 410 and the second communication interface module 420 (and/or additional communication interface modules as needed). The communication module 430 may, for example, provide a convenient communication interface by which other components of the system component 400 may utilize the first 410 and second 420 communication interface modules. Additionally, for example, in an exemplary scenario where a plurality of communication interface modules are sharing a medium and/or network, the communication module 430 may coordinate communications to reduce collisions and/or other interference between the communication interface modules.

The exemplary system component 400 may additionally comprise one or more user interface modules 440. The user interface module 440 may generally operate to provide user interface functionality to a user of the system component 400. For example, and without limitation, the user interface module 440 may operate to provide for user control of any or all standard commands for the system component (e.g., maintenance commands, monitoring commands, control commands, transaction commands, etc.). The user interface module 440 may, for example, operate and/or respond to user commands utilizing user interface features disposed on the system component 400 (e.g., buttons, etc.) and may also utilize the communication module 430 (and/or first 410 and second 420 communication interface modules) to communicate with other system components (e.g., one or more components of the user's local television system, one or more other components remote from the user's local television system, etc.).

The user interface module 440 may also comprise one or more sensor modules that operate to interface with and/or control operation of any of a variety of sensors that may be utilized to ascertain an on-screen pointing location (e.g., sensors of the user's local television system). For example and without limitation, the user interface module 440 (or sensor module(s) thereof) may operate to receive signals associated with respective sensors (e.g., raw or processed signals directly from the sensors, through intermediate devices, via the communication interface modules 410, 420, etc.). Also for example, in scenarios in which such sensors are active sensors (as opposed to purely passive sensors), the user interface module 440 (or sensor module(s) thereof) may operate to control the transmission of signals (e.g., RF signals, optical signals, acoustic signals, etc.) from such sensors. Additionally, the user interface module 440 may perform any of a variety of user output functions (e.g., video output functions, for example, presenting television programming to a user of the system component, providing visual feedback to a user of the system component, etc.).

The exemplary system component 400 may comprise one or more processors 450. The processor 450 may, for example, comprise a general purpose processor, digital signal processor, application-specific processor, microcontroller, microprocessor, etc. For example, the processor 450 may operate in accordance with software (or firmware) instructions. As mentioned previously, any or all functionality discussed herein may be performed by a processor executing instructions. For example, though various modules are illustrated as separate blocks or modules in FIG. 4, such illustrative modules, or a portion thereof, may be implemented by the processor 450.

The exemplary system component 400 may comprise one or more memories 460. As discussed above, various aspects may be performed by one or more processors executing instructions. Such instructions may, for example, be stored in the one or more memories 460. Also for example, in an exemplary scenario where the system component 400 stores and/or provides television programming, such memory 460 may store television program information. Additionally for example, in an exemplary scenario where the system component 400 stores and/or provides information identifying and/or describing user-selectable objects in television programming, the memory 460 may store such information. Further for example, in an exemplary scenario where the system component 400 receives, determines and/or analyzes on-screen pointing location information, the memory 460 may store such information.

The memory 460 may, for example, comprise characteristics of any of a variety of types of memory. For example and without limitation, the memory 460 may comprise one or more memory chips (e.g., ROM, RAM, EPROM, EEPROM, flash memory, one-time-programmable OTP memory, etc.), hard drive memory, CD memory, DVD memory, etc. The memory 460 may, for example, comprise a single memory device, a plurality of co-located memory devices and/or a distributed network of memory devices.

The exemplary system component 400 may comprise one or more modules 452 that operate to perform and/or manage the communication of television programming. For example, such one or more modules 452 may operate to utilize the communication module 430 (e.g., and at least one of the communication interface modules 410, 420) to receive and/or transmit television programming. For example, such one or more modules 452 may operate to perform step 207 of the exemplary method 200 discussed previously and/or step 307 of the exemplary method 300 discussed previously.

Also for example, such one or more modules 452 may operate to utilize the user interface module(s) 440 to present television programming, system maintenance information and/or system control information to a user of the system component 400 (e.g., via a video display of and/or communication coupled to the system component 400). Additionally for example, such one or more modules 452 may operate to utilize the communication module 430 (e.g., and at least one of the communication interface modules 410, 420) to communicate television programming information to one or more devices communicatively coupled to the system component 400 (e.g., via one or more of the communication interface modules 410, 420). For example, such one or more modules 452 may operate to perform step 220 of the exemplary method 200 discussed previously and/or step 320 of the exemplary method 300 discussed previously (e.g., in addition to a user's location television system implementing such method steps).

The exemplary system component 400 may comprise one or more on-screen pointing location determination module(s) 454. Such on-screen pointing location determination module(s) 454 may, for example, operate to determine an on-screen pointing location pointed to by a user of a television of the user's local television system. Such module(s) 454 may, for example, operate to perform step 230 of the exemplary method 200 and/or step 330 of the exemplary method 300 discussed previously. For example, the module(s) 454 may operate to analyze sensor information to determine an on-screen pointing location. Also for example, the module(s) 454 may operate to receive on-screen pointing location information from a device external to the system component 400 (e.g., utilizing the communication module 430).

The exemplary system component 400 may comprise one or more user-selected object identification modules 456. Such module(s) 456 may, for example, operate to identify a user-selectable object in presented television programming at which a user of a television of the user's local television system is pointing. For example, such module(s) 456 may operate to identify such user-selected object based, at least in part, on on-screen (on in-frame) pointing location determined by the on-screen pointing location determination module(s) 454. Such module(s) 456 may, for example, operate to perform step 240 of the exemplary method 200 and/or step 340 of the exemplary method 300 discussed previously. For example, the module(s) 456 may operate to determine the on-screen location of one or more user-selectable objects in the presented television programming, and identify a user-selected object by analyzing the respective on-screen locations of the one or more user-selectable objects and the determined on-screen pointing location (e.g., at a particular time instance and/or particular timeframe) to determine the object selected by the user.

Though not specifically illustrated, the exemplary system component 400 may, for example, comprise one or more modules that operate to perform any or all of the continued processing discussed previously with regard to step 295 of the exemplary method 200 and step 395 of the exemplary method 300, discussed previously. Such modules (e.g., as with the one or more modules 452, 454 and 456) may be performed by the processor(s) 450 executing instructions stored in the memory 460.

Turning next to FIG. 5, such figure is a diagram illustrating exemplary modules and/or sub-modules for a remote television system component 500, in accordance with various aspects of the present invention. The exemplary system component 500 may share any or all aspects with any of the various components 110, 120, 122 and 400 discussed herein and illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 4. For example, the exemplary system component 500 (or various modules thereof) may operate to perform any or all functionality discussed herein with regard to the exemplary method 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 and the exemplary method 300 illustrated in FIG. 3. As with the exemplary system component 400, the components of the exemplary system component 500 may be disposed in a single device (e.g., a television programming server, a communication network monitor, a third party information server, an object selection monitor, etc.).

For example, the system component 500 comprises a processor 530. Such a processor 530 may, for example, share any or all characteristics with the processor 450 discussed with regard to FIG. 4. Also for example, the system component 500 comprises a memory 540. Such memory 540 may, for example, share any or all characteristics with the memory 460 discussed with regard to FIG. 4.

Also for example, the system component 500 may comprise any of a variety of user interface module(s) 550. Such user interface module(s) 550 may, for example, share any or all characteristics with the user interface module(s) 440 discussed previously with regard to FIG. 4. For example and without limitation, the user interface module(s) 550 may comprise: a display device, a camera (for still or moving picture acquisition), a speaker, an earphone (e.g., wired or wireless), a microphone, a video screen (e.g., a touch screen), a vibrating mechanism, a keypad, and/or any of a variety of other user interface devices (e.g., a mouse, a trackball, a touch pad, touch screen, light pen, game controlling device, etc.).

The exemplary system component 500 may also, for example, comprise any of a variety of communication modules (505, 506, and 510). Such communication module(s) may, for example, share any or all characteristics with the communication interface module(s) 410 and 420 discussed previously with regard to FIG. 4. For example and without limitation, the communication interface module(s) 510 may comprise: a Bluetooth interface module; an IEEE 802.11, 802.15, 802.16 and/or 802.20 module; any of a variety of cellular telecommunication interface modules (e.g., GSM/GPRS/EDGE, CDMA/CDMA2000/1x-EV-DO, WCDMA/HSDPA/HSUPA, TDMA/PDC, WiMAX, etc.); any of a variety of position-related communication interface modules (e.g., GPS, A-GPS, etc.); any of a variety of wired/tethered communication interface modules (e.g., USB, Fire Wire, RS-232, HDMI, Ethernet, wireline and/or cable modem, etc.); any of a variety of communication interface modules related to communicating with external memory devices; etc. The exemplary system component 500 is also illustrated as comprising various wired 506 and/or wireless 505 front-end modules that may, for example, be included in the communication interface modules and/or utilized thereby.

The exemplary system component 500 may also comprise any of a variety of signal processing module(s) 590. Such signal processing module(s) 590 may share any or all characteristics with modules of the exemplary system component 400 that perform signal processing. Such signal processing module(s) 590 may, for example, be utilized to assist in processing various types of information discussed previously (e.g., with regard to sensor processing, position determination, video processing, image processing, audio processing, general user interface information data processing, etc.). For example and without limitation, the signal processing module(s) 590 may comprise: video/graphics processing modules (e.g. MPEG-2, MPEG-4, H.263, H.264, JPEG, TIFF, 3-D, 2-D, MDDI, etc.); audio processing modules (e.g., MP3, AAC, MIDI, QCELP, AMR, CMX, etc.); and/or tactile processing modules (e.g., Keypad I/O, touch screen processing, motor control, etc.).

In summary, various aspects of the present invention provide a system and method in a distributed system (e.g., a distributed television system) for providing user-selection of objects in a television program. While the invention has been described with reference to certain aspects and embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. 

1. A method for identifying a user-selected object in television programming, the method comprising: in one or more modules remote from a user's local television system: determining an on-screen pointing location pointed to by a user of the user's local television system while the user's local television system is presenting television programming on a screen of the local television system, the television programming comprising user-selectable objects; and identifying a user-selectable object in the presented television programming at which the user is pointing based, at least in part, on the determined on-screen pointing location.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein said identifying comprises: determining respective regions of the local television system screen associated with respective user-selectable objects; and identifying a user-selectable object in the presented television programming at which the user is pointing based, at least in part, on the determined on-screen pointing location and the determined respective regions.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein said identifying comprises: determining respective regions of a frame of the presented television programming associated with respective user-selectable objects; and identifying a user-selectable object in the presented television programming at which the user is pointing based, at least in part, on the determined on-screen pointing location and the determined respective regions.
 4. The method of claim 1, comprising, in the one or more modules remote from the user's local television system, receiving information identifying selectable objects in the presented television programming.
 5. The method of claim 4, wherein receiving information identifying selectable objects in the presented television programming comprises receiving said information embedded in a same data stream as a stream communicating the presented television programming.
 6. The method of claim 4, wherein receiving information identifying selectable objects in the presented television programming comprises receiving said information in a data stream communicated in parallel with a stream communicating the presented television programming.
 7. The method of claim 4, wherein the information identifying selectable objects in the presented television programming is communicated with the presented television programming without being requested by the user's local television system.
 8. The method of claim 4, wherein the information identifying selectable objects in the presented television programming comprises timing information associated with the selectable objects.
 9. The method of claim 4, wherein the information identifying selectable objects in the presented television programming comprises information defining respective regions of the presented television programming associated with respective selectable objects in the presented television programming.
 10. The method of claim 9, wherein the information defining respective regions of the presented television programming associated with the respective selectable objects comprises information describing movement of the respective regions as a function of time.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein said determining comprises low-pass filtering the determined on-screen pointing location.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein said identifying comprises identifying a closest user-selectable object to the determined on-screen pointing location.
 13. The method of claim 1, wherein the presented television programming comprises real-time broadcast television programming.
 14. The method of claim 4, wherein: the presented television programming is user-stored; and the information identifying selectable objects is user-stored.
 15. The method of claim 1, comprising generating a signal comprising characteristics adapted to cause the user's local television system to generate a user output indicating the identified user-selectable object.
 16. The method of claim 15, wherein said generated signal comprises characteristics adapted to cause the user's local television system to overlay a graphical feature coinciding with the identified user-selectable object on the presented television programming.
 17. The method of claim 1, comprising communicating information indicating the identified user-selectable object to a television remote control device of the user's local television system.
 18. A television system comprising one or more modules remote from a user's local television system, where said one or more modules are operable to, at least: determine an on-screen pointing location pointed to by a user of the user's local television system while the user's local television system is presenting television programming on a screen of the local television system, the television programming comprising user-selectable objects; and identify a user-selectable object in the presented television programming at which the user is pointing based, at least in part, on the determined on-screen pointing location.
 19. The television system of claim 18, wherein the one or more modules are operable to identify the user-selectable object by, at least in part, operating to: determine respective regions of the local television system screen associated with respective user-selectable objects; and identify a user-selectable object in the presented television programming at which the user is pointing based, at least in part, on the determined on-screen pointing location and the determined respective regions.
 20. The television system of claim 18, wherein the one or more modules are operable to identify the user-selectable object by, at least in part, operating to: determine respective regions of a frame of the presented television programming associated with respective user-selectable objects; and identify a user-selectable object in the presented television programming at which the user is pointing based, at least in part, on the determined on-screen pointing location and the determined respective regions.
 21. The television system of claim 18, wherein the one or more modules are operable to receive information identifying selectable objects in the presented television programming.
 22. The television system of claim 21, wherein the one or more modules are operable to receive information identifying selectable objects in the presented television programming by, at least in part, operating to receive said information embedded in a same data stream as a stream communicating the presented television programming.
 23. The television system of claim 21, wherein the one or more modules are operable to receive information identifying selectable objects in the presented television programming by, at least in part, operating to receive said information in a data stream communicated in parallel with a stream communicating the presented television programming.
 24. The television system of claim 21, wherein the information identifying selectable objects in the presented television programming is communicated with the presented television programming without being requested by the user's local television system.
 25. The television system of claim 21, wherein the information identifying selectable objects in the presented television programming comprises timing information associated with the selectable objects.
 26. The television system of claim 21, wherein the information identifying selectable objects in the presented television programming comprises information defining respective regions of the presented television programming associated with respective selectable objects in the presented television programming.
 27. The television system of claim 26, wherein the information defining respective regions of the presented television programming associated with the respective selectable objects comprises information describing movement of the respective regions as a function of time.
 28. The television system of claim 18, wherein the one or more modules are operable to determine an on-screen pointing location by, at least in part, operating to low-pass filter the determined on-screen pointing location.
 29. The television system of claim 18, wherein the one or more modules are operable to identify a user-selectable object by, at least in part, operating to identify a closest user-selectable object to the determined on-screen pointing location.
 30. The television system of claim 18, wherein the presented television programming comprises real-time broadcast television programming.
 31. The television system of claim 21, wherein: the presented television programming is user-stored; and the information identifying selectable objects is user-stored.
 32. The television system of claim 18, wherein the one or more modules are operable to generate a signal comprising characteristics adapted to cause the user's local television system to generate a user output indicating the identified user-selectable object.
 33. The television system of claim 32, wherein said generated signal comprises characteristics adapted to cause the user's local television system to overlay a graphical feature coinciding with the identified user-selectable object on the presented television programming.
 34. The television system of claim 18, wherein the one or more modules are operable to communicate information indicating the identified user-selectable object to a television remote control device of the user's local television system. 